LAUSR

Abstract This paper investigates analytically the non-linear buckling and post-buckling of functionally graded material (FGM) variable thickness toroidal shell segments subjected to axial compression, external pressure, including temperature effects. The improved Donnell shell theory with von Karman nonlinearity, Stein and McElman assumption are adopted to obtain the governing equations of non-linear buckling of toroidal shell segments. The static buckling loads and the post-buckling load-deflection curves for the variable thickness toroidal shell segments are determined by using the Galerkin's method. The present results are validated by comparing with the solutions published in the available literature for the specific cases. Effects of geometrical and material parameters, the thickness distribution, and temperature change on the nonlinear buckling behavior of the toroidal shell segments are studied in detail.